Postcards from NZ

 Well we are here......our last day in this beautiful hideaway where we have spent the last week.....well not quite a hideaway but felt like a little piece of the Swiss Alps by the sea......

perfect place to have celebrated our 25 wedding getaway....

 Yesterday meeting up with Neetz which was a lovely moment...go check out her take on our meeting here......so much kindness going back to her too.

So today was pack up day...squish those suitcases and double check that we had picked up all the necessary souvenirs for those who were not so lucky to join us on this trip...sorry kids but you just knew it had to be done...

We have missed you heaps ...

Anyways..we found it hard to leave  and had to sit and take in the beauty  of the place and again express our gratitude for the most spectacular of days we have had..... 

 Still so much more to have done......or so much more of doing nothing that could be done.....

 We did saddle up and armed our self with some sweet local easy peel mandarins for the road

Our GPS was set to take us the scenic route back to the big smoke......oh that GPS was the best decision we made when planning this trip......it so helped keep the "romance" in the week...no misguided map reading or discussions over to go left right or straight ahead.

 

 We stopped and chatted to the locals on the way ....

...who suggested we take the scenic route....winding roads ( just like the driver liked) along the  Matapouri / Tutukaka coastline....

 

there was some  surfing envy going on for a short while.....

The views continued to wow us and we could have sat at each vantage point in the sun for longer if time had allowed us......the first time all week that we have been on a time schedule....

 The views and dizzying heights just go as far as the eye can see.......

We saw rain and grey skies for the first time all week an hour away from Auckland....

then we happened upon the city......

After the week we have had we just couldn't bring ourselves to stop in the city...the hustle and bustle.....so with our hotel room booked and ready by the airport, that is where we headed..... 

Time now just to gather our heads for flights that will see us flying most of tomorrow...a meal and a repacking of the cases ready for an international flight.....

Sadly we say goodbye to New Zealand.......fond memories we take and well as a renewed commitment to the many years that lie ahead of us as a family....

Thanks NZ for turning on such a beautiful week of weather and sights.

Joining in with a lovely Kiwi blogger ,Meghan for Things I am loving this week......